Hi Everyone,
After a hectic few weeks it has been lovely taking time out to relax away from work, catch up on some revision and even draft a new picture book story for my June 12×12 group. Also I have managed to read some (not all yet) of a wonderful, fun, resource full book I received recently by the wonderful author and writing buddy of mine, Vivian Kirkfield,
‘Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.’
Oh how I wish this book had been around thirty years ago. When I was first married our young neighbours next door had two little kids (a girl and boy) who loved coming over to our place to play with our little Cavalier King Charles spaniel, play hairdressing with my long hair (at that time, and you can only imagine the pigtail etc that was created) *roll eyes* or join me in the kitchen standing on chairs making chocolate chip cookies, little sponge butterfly cakes, and a biscuit chocolate log that required no baking but lots of fun decorating and licking of the bowl afterwards. Vivian’s book would have been a gold-mine for me giving me so many more choices and more, in activities such as crafts as well as simple cooking recipes and there is over a hundred reading suggestions to choose from. This book is a wonderfully creative resource for every adult who loves to spend time with young children. The stories, craft and cooking projects, not only give the child a sense of achievement, but also to recognise their own potential in a fun way, learn by mistakes and build confidence and self-esteem. I know from experiencing it with my little nephews when they came to stay how during our time cooking or doing a craft how open they are to chatting about whatever is on their minds. How creative and confident they were and having our total attention brought such excitement for both them and us. I loved those special times.
Mmm… just made myself a Child-friendly Egg-in-the-Nest for lunch. It’s on page 99. That’s after reading choice of- David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon, and the Floating Boat soap craft. Also after each reading suggestion is Parental Participation notes and room for you to make some notes also. The book is broken into six chapters such as “I Can Do it Myself!” “I’m Special!” and “I’m Afraid!” Each chapter lists picture book suggestions to do with that theme followed by a craft and suitable, simple cooking recipe. I love the introduction ‘One Picture (book) is Worth a Thousand Words’, where Vivian offers true-life experience, and explains her themes and how powerful picture books are. In the back of the book is an hourly routine Vivian has used. Children thrive on routine, knowing what is happening next causes less stress and they look forward to each new day. Vivian has not left anything out when she carefully researched, taken from her own life and produced this extraordinary resource.
I am so lucky in that Vivian gave me another copy of this book which I am donating to our local library as I am sure it will be snapped up and become a very sort after resource for both, child minder, teachers and parents. I have a couple of young friends who have little ones and would value this book so I will be buying some copies for Christmas gifts this year, that’s for sure. Make sure you obtain one, you will not be disappointed.
You can obtain this book from Amazon… http://www.amazon.com/Self-Esteem-Crafting-Positive-Parental-Participation/dp/0967014751
A post from 2013… http://viviankirkfield.com/2013/01/19/sunday-post-simplicity-children-need-less-stuff/#comments
Want to know more here is Vivian’s website… http://viviankirkfield.com/
Meet Vivian on youtube…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObgrDLEmWpI
Catch her on…. https://www.facebook.com/vivian.kirkfield?fref=ts
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Reblogged this on Picture Books Help Kids Soar and commented:
A dear friend of mine and critique partner, Diane Tulloch, has just written an awesome blog post about my book, Show Me How! She even tried the ‘egg in a nest’ recipe…one of my husband’s brunch favorites!
I hope you’ll hop over to read what she has to say…and I’m so thrilled that the book will now be helping parents and teachers in the land of ‘down under’…beautiful New Zealand!
Whoa! that’s awesome, Thanks Vivian.
Dearest Diane…what an absolutely lovely post! Thank you so much – I didn’t realize you would blog about it. I’m thrilled you are enjoying the book…and how fun that you tried the ‘egg in a nest’ recipe…that is actually my husband’s FAVORITE brunch. I had never made it, but when I wrote the book and tried out hundreds of recipes (and he was my taste tester), he fell in love with it and I make it at least once a week.
Your very welcome, my friend. I enjoyed making the egg dish as it meant the egg didn’t run everywhere like it usually does. LOL. I also stopped in at the local library today and presented your book to them. The lady behind the counter flicked through it and thought it such an extraordinary book. She was going to present it to their board meeting (whatever that means). The wild Spiced Apple muffins looked nice on page 129 so might (if I get time) try that out too. 🙂 Oh, your husband has got good taste. 😉
What a great book. My kids and now grandkids would love it! Congratulations Vivian and a wonderful post Diane.<3
Thank you Darlene. It is a great resource book for any family or as I mentioned, those who enjoy having kids around.
Thank you so much, Darlene. I hope you are able to get a copy…it’s got lots of fun activities. 😉
Such a nice review of Vivian’s book, Diane! It is an excellent resource for anyone who is around kids. It’s just 7 AM here and egg-in-a-nest is sounding pretty tasty 🙂
Thanks Susanna. It is a great book. The egg in a nest would be ideal for breakie. Cut the centre out of the bread and put the egg in, in the frypan. only takes a couple of mins either side. 🙂 Enjoy!
It’s my hubby’s favorite brunch, Susanna. 😉 Thanks for the kind words.
What a lovely personal review and testimony for Vivian’s fabulous book. I loved that you tried one of her recipes. My library has a copy and I see it is loved and frequently checked out. They display it in area that is visible for parents.
That is so cool, that they display the book. Glad you liked the review Pat. Thank you.
That’s so good to hear about the copy that is in your library, Pat. 😉 Thank you for sharing that!
What a lovely, lovely review for a book that I think any dad or mom or caregiver would be grateful to have!
It would have come in pretty handy when my own kids were small, that’s for sure, Joanna. 😉
Thank you Joanna. It’s a great book and will be a huge hit where-ever it is. Thanks for your comment.